Llink Technologies :Driving Sustainability and Innovation in Automotive Lighting Remanufacturing

The automotive industry is more focused than ever on remanufacturing, accountability, and sustainability. But one question continues to weigh on the minds of forward-thinking manufacturers: What should be done with parts that are too complex to discard, too damaged to reuse, and too valuable to ignore?

Headlamps and tail lamps in lighting assemblies are prime examples—packed with semiconductors and microchips. Despite their high material value, these components are often sent to landfills after just one lifecycle.

That’s where Llink Technologies steps in—not as a recycler, but as a remanufacturing partner redefining the lifecycle of automotive lighting. Through its patented process, the company restores headlamps and tail lamps to OEM standards and fuels growth through a scalable, automated system. This allows OEMs to reintroduce high-value components into the supply chain faster and more efficiently while reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The result? A rare trifecta: measurable sustainability impact, lower costs and faster availability for end users, and a scalable model that supports long-term growth for manufacturers.

What was once written off as a liability is now recast as a driver of progress, efficiency, and impact— and Llink Technologies is leading the charge.
“Our three-pillar approach brings together sustainability, end-user value, and growth potential to create a smarter, more responsible way of doing business in the automotive lighting industry,” says Chelsea Jensen, Business Operations Manager.

OEM-Grade Quality with Cost and Availability Benefits

One of Llink Technologies’ standout achievements is maintaining OEM fit, form, and function at a significantly reduced cost up to 40 percent lower than that of new parts and competitive with after-market knock-offs. The remanufactured assemblies are fully certified, fit to vehicle exactly as new, meet all federal and OEM-specific testing standards—including DOT and FMVSS—and come with an OEM warranty.

The company’s traceability system adds value by identifying and isolating ineligible core returns, such as aftermarket knockoffs. This enables manufacturers to recover substantial revenue by pinpointing inefficiencies in their supply chains. One case resulted in identification of over $18 million in recoverable value across multiple platforms.

“What we are doing has never been done in this space. We've paved the way for remanufacturing intricate automotive lighting assemblies—and it has been a highly collaborative, industry-defining effort”

During supply chain interruptions, remanufactured parts can be more readily available, a significant advantage in the wake of the global chip shortage.

Llink’s engineering team provides insight and collaboration with OEM lighting designers to incorporate design for remanufacturing for future vehicle models. This strategic foresight ensures the longevity and sustainability of lighting components across multiple lifecycles. Its patented processes—which heavily leverage automation and robotics—enable high-volume, consistent quality, something few competitors can replicate without falling into basic refurb or repair categories.

“Everything we’ve developed is designed for flexibility and efficiency—we can run all OEM platforms on the same equipment without massive reinvestment, and that’s a game changer for our partners,” says Lisa Spencer-Conn, General Manager.

A Proven Track Record and National Recognition

The company’s successful partnership with General Motors exemplifies its impact. Tasked with reintroducing at least 25 percent of lighting cores into the market, Llink Technologies met and far exceeded the goal. Through lessons learned and continued innovations, it now recovers and remanufactures up to 83 percent of incoming cores, salvaging up to 95 percent of components. This partnership has already led to the launch of 30 remanufactured headlamp stock units, with 20 more in the pipeline.

Stellantis is also collaborating on the final phases of a major pre-launch with Llink, and feasibility analyses are underway for tail lamps and exotic lighting configurations.

The company’s contribution to the automotive parts industry has not gone unnoticed. It has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, winning both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the RE-X Before Recycling Prize. As the only automotive-based recipient, the award validates its innovation and leadership in decarbonizing the industry.

Supporting this milestone, the company is actively scaling operations with the recent acquisition of a 165,000-square-foot core processing facility to meet rising demand.

In an industry dominated by scale, Llink Technologies is proving that agility, innovation, and purpose can outpace size— delivering real results where they matter most.